Needle storage magazine with status indication

ABSTRACT

A magazine (18) that stores a plurality of needles (56) configured to engage a medication pen (2) for medication delivery, the magazine (18) comprising a magazine housing (20) enclosing a removable array (26) having a plurality of hub chambers (22) each enclosing one of a plurality of needle hubs (50), a connector (28) in each of the plurality of hub chambers (22), each connector (28) engages one of the plurality of needle hubs (50), a plurality of peel tabs (30) each sealing one of the plurality of hub chambers (22), and an electronic indicator (62) to identify a status of the plurality of needle hubs (50), wherein the electronic indicator (62) identifies how many of the plurality of needle hubs (50) are unused.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. 62/328,649, filed on Apr. 28, 2016,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Various exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to needle storagefor medication pens.

BACKGROUND

Medication pens are typically used to inject medication into a patient.A person who must periodically self-inject doses of medication willtypically carry a medication pen and several single-use pen needles. Amedication pen is designed for safety and sterility. However,inefficiencies and inconveniences arise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a magazine thatstores a plurality of needles configured to engage a medication pen formedication delivery. Such a magazine provides advantages in minimizingthe size of pen needle packaging, minimizing the volume of plastic usedto manufacture components and grouping together a number of pen needlesmaking them easy to use and carry. Moreover, the magazine includes anelectronic indicator that advantageously provides a user at least one ofa battery level, needle hub use status, current conditions and a numberof unused needle hubs.

Having a magazine of needles available for medication delivery reducesneedle reuse. Needle reuse is undesired for at least the followingreasons. The needle dulls after a single use and so subsequent use maycause pain to the patient. Multiple needle use can also reduce thestrength of the needle tip which may cause a potential fracture. Also,needle reuse increases sanitary concerns and health risks to thepatient.

The needle assembly of the present invention advantageously reducesreuse for at least the following reasons. Although patients may desireto financially benefit from using a needle multiple times, the needleassembly is configured to prevent each of the plurality of needles frombeing used more than once. Convenience is another reason patients reuseneedles. Patients may also be concerned about not having another needleavailable for use or not having access to supplies. However, the needleassembly conveniently provides multiple needles so that an unused needleis more readily available.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can beachieved by providing a magazine that stores a plurality of needlesconfigured to engage a medication pen for medication delivery, themagazine comprising a magazine housing enclosing a removable arrayhaving a plurality of hub chambers each enclosing one of a plurality ofneedle hubs, a connector in each of the plurality of hub chambers, eachconnector engaging one of the plurality of needle hubs, a plurality ofclosures each sealing one of the plurality of hub chambers, and anelectronic indicator to identify a status of the plurality of needlehubs, wherein the electronic indicator identifies how many of theplurality of needle hubs are unused.

Preferably, the magazine housing includes mounting recesses, theremovable array includes mounting projections, and the mountingprojections engage the mounting recesses to secure the removable arrayto the magazine housing. The removable array is replaced when theplurality of needle hubs in the removable array are all used and theremovable array includes two removable arrays which are disposedopposite each other.

Preferably, the electronic indicator includes a plurality of LEDs,wherein each of the plurality of LEDs is aligned to one of the pluralityof hub chambers. When one of the plurality of LEDs corresponding to oneof the plurality of hub chambers illuminates in a selected color, thecorresponding needle hub of the plurality of needle hubs is used. Whenone of the plurality of LEDs corresponding to one of the plurality ofhub chambers illuminates in another selected color, the correspondingneedle hub of the plurality of needle hubs is new and available for use.

Preferably, the magazine housing includes a circuit board including aninertial measurement unit that detects vibration, the inertialmeasurement unit triggering operation of the circuit board when apredetermined vibration value is exceeded.

Preferably, the electronic indicator includes an infrared reflectivesystem that emits infrared light to determine the status of theplurality of needle hubs. The infrared reflective system includes aplurality of infrared emitters and a plurality of infrared detectors.One of the plurality of infrared emitters and one of a plurality ofinfrared detectors are aligned to each other in each one of theplurality of hub chambers. Based on infrared light reflection received,the infrared reflective system identifies one of an empty hub chamber,an unused needle hub in the hub chamber and a used needle hub in the hubchamber. The magazine housing is preferably an infrared translucentmaterial and the plurality of needle hubs is preferably an infraredreflective material.

Preferably, the electronic indicator includes an electronic display. Theelectronic display includes at least one of a battery level, use status,current conditions and a number of the unused needle hubs. The currentconditions display the current date and time and the use status displaysa time when a most recent needle hub of the plurality of needle hubs wasremoved from the magazine housing.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can also beachieved by a method of using a plurality of needles in a magazine, theplurality of needles is configured to engage a medication pen formedication delivery, the method comprising removing a selected closureof a plurality of closures to expose a selected needle hub of aplurality of needle hubs in a magazine housing, engaging the medicationpen to the selected needle hub, disengaging the selected needle hub fromthe magazine housing to prepare the medication pen for medicationdelivery, and indicating a status of the plurality of needles byidentifying how many of the plurality of needle hubs are unused.

It will be understood that each of the preferred or optional features ofthe various embodiments described above may be combined with otherpreferred or optional features. Additionally, features described incombination with one particular embodiment may also be combined with oneof the other embodiments.

Additional and/or other aspects and advantages of the present inventionwill be set forth in the description that follows, or will be apparentfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above aspects and features of the present invention will be moreapparent from the description for the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich;

FIG. 1 illustrates a left perspective view of a removable magazinearray;

FIG. 2 illustrates a left perspective view of a magazine housing;

FIG. 3 illustrates a left perspective view of the removable magazinearrays disposed in the magazine housing;

FIG. 4 illustrates a left perspective view of an exemplary magazine;

FIG. 5 illustrates a right perspective view of an exemplary adapterconnected to a medication pen;

FIG. 6 illustrates a right perspective view of the medication pen priorto engaging a needle hub in the magazine housing;

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cross sectional view of the medication penof FIG. 5 beginning to engage a needle hub in a magazine housing;

FIG. 8 illustrates a left perspective view of the magazine assemblywhere the medication pen engaged to the needle hub is being removed fromthe magazine housing;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial cross sectional view of the medication penof FIG. 5 fully engaged to the needle hub in the magazine housing;

FIG. 10 illustrates a right perspective view of the magazine assemblywhere the medication pen returns the needle hub to the magazine housing;

FIG. 11 illustrates a right perspective view of the needle hub in themagazine housing in an unlocked position;

FIG. 12 illustrates a right perspective view of the needle hub in themagazine housing in a locked position;

FIG. 13 illustrates a left perspective view of the needle hub;

FIG. 14 illustrates a let perspective view of a printed circuit board inthe magazine housing;

FIG. 14A illustrates a block diagram of the operation of the printedcircuit board in the magazine housing;

FIG. 15 illustrates a partial cross sectional view of a removablemagazine array connected to the magazine housing including an infraredreflective system;

FIG. 16 illustrates the partial cross sectional view of the removablemagazine assembly connected to the magazine housing of FIG. 15 with theinfrared reflective system detecting an unused needle hub;

FIG. 17 illustrates the partial cross sectional view of the removablemagazine assembly connected to the magazine housing of FIG. 15 with theinfrared reflective system detecting an empty hub chamber;

FIG. 18 illustrates the magazine including electronic indicators beingLEDs to identify a status of the plurality of needle hubs;

FIG. 19 illustrates another embodiment of the magazine enclosed by acover;

FIG. 20 illustrates the magazine of FIG. 19 with the cover removed andincluding a display; and

FIG. 21 illustrates the magazine of FIG. 20 with a needle hub removedfrom the magazine housing; and

FIG. 22 illustrates the magazine of FIG. 20 with the used needle hubreturned to the magazine housing and the removable magazine arraydisengaging the magazine housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

According to one embodiment, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a magazine 18 thatstores a plurality of needles or cannulas used by a medication pen 2 formedication delivery. The magazine 18 includes a magazine housing 20, aplurality of hub chambers 22 each including a connector 28, a selectedhub chamber 24, and magazine arrays 26. The magazine housing 20 is inthe shape of a credit card and encloses each of the plurality of needlesor cannulas.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the magazine housing 20 includes two magazinearrays 26. Each of the magazine arrays 26 carries one of a plurality ofneedle hubs 50 in each of the plurality of hub chambers 22. Preferably,each magazine array 26 includes eight hub chambers 22 although more orless is contemplated. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the magazinearrays 26 are opposite one another in a longitudinal direction. Theplurality of needle hubs 50 are inline and adjacent to one another.

The magazine arrays 26 are also removable. Specifically, when all of theplurality of needle hubs 50 in the magazine array 26 are used, themagazine array 26 can be discarded and replaced. Accordingly, themagazine housing 20 is reusable. This is advantageous because themagazine housing 20 contains electronics and is, therefore, moreexpensive.

Such a configuration advantageously provides a small, compact andoptimized arrangement of the plurality of needle hubs 50 and allows themagazine 18 to be made from a minimal amount of material. Additionally,each of the plurality of needle hubs 50 is individually disposed in eachof the plurality of hub chambers 22 to advantageously provide a separatecavity for each needle hub 50.

Each of the plurality of hub chambers 22 includes the connector 28 whichsecures each of the plurality of needle hubs 50. The connector 28 ispreferably a quarter turn bayonet connection, although a push-pulldetent connector can also be used. Further details of the connector 28are described below.

Each of the plurality of hub chambers 22 is enclosed by a peel tab orclosures 30. The plurality of peel tabs 30 is preferably a foil tab. Thepeel tabs 30 is preferably composed of, or coated with, an infraredreflective material. The peel tab 30 individually seals and provides asterile environment for each of the plurality of needle hubs 50 disposedin the plurality of hub chambers 22. Such a configuration advantageouslyprovides independent access to each of the plurality of needle hubs 50.As a result, one of the plurality of needle hubs 50 is used withoutaltering the sterile environment of the remaining needle hubs 50.

FIG. 1 also illustrates one of the plurality of peel tabs 30 removed toexpose a selected hub chamber 24 of the plurality of hub chambers 22.The selected hub chamber 24 includes a selected needle hub 52 ready foruse.

FIG. 2 illustrates the magazine housing 20 with the magazine arrays 26removed. The magazine housing 20 is preferably made of an infraredtranslucent material and includes an electronic indicator 62. Accordingto one embodiment, the electronic indicator 62 is a plurality of LEDs80. The plurality of LEDs 80 indicates a status of the plurality ofneedle hubs 50. Each of the plurality of LEDs 80 is positioned to acorresponding one of the plurality of hub chambers 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the LEDs 80 illuminate a color to indicatethe status of the plurality of needles hubs 50. For example, if the LED80 illuminates as green, the corresponding needle hub 50 of theplurality of needle hubs 50 is new (unused) and available for use. Ifthe LED 80 illuminates as red, the corresponding needle hub 50 of theplurality of needle hubs 50 is used and should not be reused. If the LED80 illuminates as orange, the corresponding hub chamber 22 of theplurality climb chambers 22 is empty and not occupied by one of theplurality of needle hubs 50. In other words, the selected needle hub 52is removed from the magazine housing 20 for use. The plurality of LEDs80 cooperates with an infrared reflective system 68, as furtherdescribed below, to determine the device status of each of the pluralityof needle hubs 50.

The magazine housing 20 also includes mounting recesses 21 that engageand secure each of the magazine arrays 26. FIG. 3 illustrates that themounting recesses 21 are disposed on each side of the magazine housing20. The mounting recesses 21 are paired for each magazine array 26. FIG.3 also illustrates mounting projections 27 on each side of the magazinearray 26 beginning to engage the magazine housing 20. The mountingprojections 27 of the other magazine array 26 fully engage the mountingrecesses 21 of the magazine housing 20 to secure the magazine arrays 26in the magazine housing 20. FIG. 4 illustrates the both magazine arrays26 secured in the magazine housing 20.

This interface between the magazine arrays 26 and the magazine housing20 advantageously allows the magazine arrays 26 to be replaced when allthe needle hubs 50 are used. The magazine arrays 26 being secured to andremoved from the magazine housing 20 advantageously prevent the magazinehousing 20 from being discarded after all the needle hubs 50 are used.Instead, the magazine housing 20 is reused with new magazine arrays 26.

FIG. 5, according to one embodiment, illustrates a medication pen 2connected to an adapter 4. The adapter 4 is attachable to a standardreusable medication pen 2 (i.e. pen injector). The components of theadapter 4 are illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9. FIG. 6 illustrates theadapter 4 connected to the medication pen 2 and beginning to engage theselected needle hub 52.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the adapter 4 includes an adaptor body 6, anadapter cannula 8 and an adapter septum 10. The adapter body 6 ispreferably a two piece press-fit assembly that encloses and secures theadapter septum 10. A proximal end of the adapter body 6 includes threadsthat are configured to engage threads in the medication pen 2. A distalend of the adapter body 6 includes an opening. The opening is configuredto engage one of a plurality of needle hubs 50.

Preferably, the adapter septum 10 includes a preformed opening for theadapter cannula 8 to pierce. Alternately, a sharpened distal end of theadapter cannula 8 pierces the adapter septum 10 to establish fluidcommunication. The adapter septum 10 is preferably made of siliconrubber.

The adapter cannula 8 is fixed to the adapter body 6. The adaptercannula 8 is disposed in the proximal end of the adapter body 6 and isconfigured to pierce a septum (not shown) of the medication pen 2 toestablish fluid communication with the medication pen 2. A distal end ofthe adapter cannula 8 is disposed in the adapter septum 10. Operation ofthe adapter cannula 8 with the adapter septum 10 is described below.

The adapter septum 10 regulates the flow of medicament between themedication pen 2 and the selected needle hub 52. The adapter septum 10is closed in its natural state. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the adapterseptum 10 partially engages the adapter cannula 8 at its distal end inthe closed position. Since the selected needle hub 52 in not fullyengaged with the adapter 4, the adapter septum 10 remains in the closedposition. That is, the adapter septum 10 of FIG. 7 is in its naturalstate.

FIG. 9 illustrates the adapter septum 10 in an open position. Theselected needle hub 52 is fixed to the adapter body 6 via a push-pulldetest although other methods are contemplated. When the selected needlehub 52 is fixed to the adapter body 6, the selected needle hub 52applies an axial force to the adapter septum 10. The axial force causesthe adapter septum 10 to flex (or compress) and allows the adaptercannula 8 to pierce the adapter septum 10 and extend into the selectedneedle hub 52. The axial force also establishes a sealing surface toprevent a leak path at an interface between a proximal end of theselected needle hub 52 and a distal surface of the adapter septum 10.Accordingly, the selected needle hub 52 is now in fluid communicationwith the medication pen 2.

According to one embodiment, FIG. 8 illustrates the magazine assembly 1where the selected needle hub 52 is connected to the medication pen 2via the adapter 4 (see also FIG. 9) and is removed from the magazine 18.Specifically, the selected needle hub 52 disengages the connector 28 inthe selected hub chamber 24 of the magazine housing 20. Each of theplurality of needle hubs 50 cannot be easily removed from the magazinehousing 20 without using the adapter 4. The medication pen 2 is nowready for medication delivery.

FIG. 10 illustrates, according to one embodiment, that after theselected needle hub 52 is used for medication delivery by the medicationpen 2, the medication pen 2 returns the selected needle hub 52 back tothe magazine housing 20. Specifically, the selected needle hub 52engages the connector 28 in the selected hub chamber 24 of the magazinehousing 20. The selected needle hub 52 returns to the selected hubchamber 24 that it was originally sealed in. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustratethe operation of the connector 28 being a quarter turn bayonetconnection engaging one of the plurality of needle hubs 50. Operation ofthe connector 28 is described below.

FIG. 13 illustrates, according to one embodiment, one of the pluralityof needle hubs 50. The plurality of needles hubs 50 is preferably madeof an infrared reflective material and each of the plurality of needlehubs 50 includes a hub body 54, a hub cannula 56 and a radial lug 58. Aproximal and distal end of the hub body 54 preferably includes threadsor the push-pull detent. The proximal end of the hub body 54 isconfigured to be attached to the adapter 4 and the distal end of the hubbody 54 is configured to be attached to the connector 28 in the magazinehousing 20.

The hub cannula 56 is fixed to the hub body 54 and extends from thedistal end of the hub body 54. The hub cannula 56 provides a means todeliver medicament to the patient. Specifically, when one of theplurality of needle hubs 50 is connected to the medication pen 2, fluidcommunication is established. Accordingly, medicament travels to theneedle hub 50 and exits through the hub cannula 56. Although notillustrated, the distal end of the hub cannula 56 includes a sharpenedbevel cut that is configured to penetrate tissue.

The radial lug 58 is disposed adjacent to the threads or the push-pulldetent at the distal end of the hub body 54. The radial lug 58 acts as asecondary retention means to the connector 28 in the magazine housing20. Two radial lugs 58 are preferably disposed on the hub body 54approximately 180° apart.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the used needle hub 50 is returned tothe magazine housing 20, the used needle hub 50 engages the quarter turnconnector 28 via the radial lug 58. The used needle hub 50 is thenrotated approximately 90°, as illustrated in FIG. 12, to engage thequarter turn connector 28 of the magazine housing 20. Thus, the quarterturn connector 28 is secured to the needle hub 52 via the radial lug 58.

According to one embodiment, the magazine housing 20 includes a printedcircuit board 64. The printed circuit board 64, as illustrated in FIG.14, allows various electronic components in the magazine 18 to bedisposed and to operate. For example, the printed circuit board 64includes an inertial measurement unit 66, a battery 74, a controller 76,a memory chip 77 and a wireless module 78.

The inertial measurement unit 66 detects any vibration experienced bythe magazine 18. The inertial measurement unit 66 is preferably anaccelerometer but can also include, for example, a gyroscope. Theinertial measurement unit 66 is calibrated to initiate operation of themagazine 18 by waking up the controller 76 on the printed circuit board64 from a sleep state and activate its peripherals when a detectedvibration, rotational movement or other gesture movement exceeds athreshold amount. The battery is always on and connected.

When the magazine 18 is not in use, the controller 76 operates in a lowpower sleep mode and is awakened only when triggered by the inertialmeasurement unit 66. In this manner, the magazine 18 is not undercontinuous high power use, but only when the magazine 18 is handled by auser in preparing to load a needle hub 50. Accordingly, the inertialmeasurement unit 66 advantageously optimizes the electrical powerconsumption of the magazine 18.

Alternately, the inertial measurement unit 66 is configured to detectvibration, rotational movement or other gesture movement generated bysnapping the used needle hub 50 onto the connector 28 of the magazinearray 26 when the used needle hub 50 is returned to the magazine housing20. The inertial measurement unit 66 can also be configured to detectvibration, rotational movement or other gesture movement generated by,the adapter 4 snapping onto the needle hub 50 prior to removing theneedle hub 50 from the connector 28 of the magazine array 26 formedication delivery. In any case, vibration exceeding the thresholdamount causes the inertial measurement unit 66 to alert the controller76 and check the status of the needle hubs 50 via the infraredreflective system 68.

The printed circuit board 64 further includes the battery 74 thatregulates and provides a steady voltage source of electrical power tooperate the electrical components of the magazine housing 20.Preferably, the battery 74 is a coin cell battery that is optimallysized and sufficiently powered.

The controller 76 is also disposed on the printed circuit board 64. Thecontroller 76 provides the following functional benefits. The controller76 receives time and data, as well as any other user information via thewireless module 78 such as a Bluetooth transmitter. Specifically, thecontroller 76 measures time through a global positioning system (GPS) oralternatively includes a real time clock 75 (e.g., Abracon AB-RTCMCreal-time clock module or equivalent thereof). The real time clock 75maintains accurate time and stores time corresponding to the loggingdata in the memory chip 77.

As described below, the controller 76 cooperates with the infraredreflective system 68 to determine the status of each of the plurality ofneedle hubs 50. This occurs when a magazine array 26 is installed in themagazine housing 20 and at any point during operation of the magazine18. Subsequently, the controller 76 communicates with the electronicindicator 62 to display the status of the plurality of needle hubs 50 tothe user. Specifically, the controller 76 activates the appropriate LEDs80 in the color defined manner described above. The controller 76 alsotransfers the data regarding the status of the plurality of needle hubs50 in real-time. This transfer occurs via the wireless module 78 such asWi-Fi technology or the Bluetooth transmitter as described below.

The memory chip 77 is also disposed on the printed circuit board 64. Thememory chip 77 is a non-volatile memory storage medium that stores datafrom the infrared reflective system 68 and the controller 76. Thecontroller 76 transfers data to and from the memory chip 77, as well asto the wireless module 78 for data communication. The controller 76 alsostores processed data on the memory chip 77.

The wireless module 78 is also disposed on the printed circuit board 64.The wireless module 78 provides data communication between the magazine18 and an external system such as a smart phone or a computer.Alternatively, Wi-Fi technology can be used in place of the wirelessmodule 78 for similar purposes.

In an alternate configuration, a controller and a memory chip includedin a standard Bluetooth chip may be sufficient and not require thesecomponents separately on the printed circuit board 64. In this instance,the Bluetooth chip will require various simple circuit elements such asresistors, capacitators and diodes to function properly.

FIG. 14A illustrates a block diagram showing the operation of theprinted circuit board 64 in the magazine 18. Specifically, the memorychip 77, the clock 75, the battery 74 and the LEDs 80 cooperate with thecontroller 76 for appropriate operation as described above. Thecontroller 76 also communicates with the inertial measurement unit 66and the wireless module 78 for efficient power usage and transfer ofdata.

The block diagram of FIG. 14A also illustrates the controller 76communicating with an electronic display 82, an array of infraredemitters 70 and an array of infrared detectors 72. Operation of thesefeatures is further described below.

According to one embodiment, the magazine 18 further includes theinfrared reflective system 68. FIGS. 15-17 illustrate the infraredreflective system 68 including the array of infrared emitters 70 and thearray of infrared detectors 72. The array of infrared emitters 70 is aplurality of infrared emitters 70 each assigned to a respective hubchamber 22 of the plurality of hub chambers 22.

The infrared emitters 70, also referred to as infrared LED drivers, aredisposed in the magazine housing 20 and emit or radiate infrared lightinto an opening in the magazine housing 20 (or through a wall of themagazine housing 20) and into a hub chamber 22. In other words, theinfrared emitters 70 beams infrared light into a magazine bay of themagazine housing 20.

Similarly, the array of infrared detectors 72, also referred as aphototransistor array, is a plurality of infrared detectors 72 eachassigned to a respective hub chamber 22 of the plurality of hub chambers22. The infrared detectors 72 are disposed in the magazine housing 20and receive or detect reflected infrared light. In other words, theinfrared detectors 72 rod in reflected infrared right within themagazine bay of the magazine housing 20.

As described above, the magazine housing 20 is composed of an infraredtranslucent material and the plurality of needle hubs 50 are composed ofan infrared reflective material. The plurality of peel tabs 30 are alsocomposed of an infrared reflective material. Alternately, thesecomponents have corresponding infrared reflective or infraredtranslucent coatings. This configuration allows the infrared light totravel through the magazine housing 20 and reflects when incident to thefront face of the needle hubs 50 or incident to the peel tabs 30. Inthis manner, the presence of the needle hubs 50 is detected in the hubchambers 22. The infrared detectors 72 are connected to the printedcircuit board 64 so that signals from the infrared detectors 72 areprocessed by the controller 76 and communicated to the memory chip 77,the wireless module 78 and/or the electronic indicator 62.

The infrared reflection system 68 operates as follows. As illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17, each of the infrared emitters 70 radiate infrared lighttoward each of the hub chambers 22. Each of the infrared detectors 72preferably detect three conditions in the plurality of hub chambers 22:(1) the hub chamber 22 is sealed by the peel tab 30 and needle hub 50 isunused and available for use; (2) the hub chamber 22 is empty,indicating that the needle hub 50 is being used; and (3) the hub chamber22 retains the needle hub 50 but the hub chamber 22 is not sealed,indicating that the needle hub 50 is used.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 16, if the needle hub 50 is presentin the hub chamber 22 and the peel tab 30 seals the hub chamber 22(condition 1), a maximum amount of infrared light is incident on thefront face of the needle hub 50 and reflected back to the infrareddetector 72. This is because the hub chamber 22 contains the needle hub50 and is sealed by the peel tab 30. Moreover, the needle hub 50 and thepeel tab 30 are made of an infrared reflective material to reflect thelight back to the infrared detectors 72. Condition 1 is indicated by anLED 80 illuminated green.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, lithe hub chamber 22 is empty because theneedle hub 50 is removed from the magazine housing 20 and the peel tab30 is removed (condition 2), most of the infrared light exits the hubchamber 22 and is not reflected back to the infrared detectors 72. Thereis little infrared reflective material in the hub chamber 22 to causethe infrared light to reflect back to the infrared detectors 72.Condition 2 is indicated by an LED 80 illuminated orange.

If the needle hub 50 is present in the hub chamber 22 but the peel tab30 is removed from the hub chamber 22 (condition 3), a nominal amount ofinfrared light will be reflected back to the infrared detectors 72. Thisis because some of the infrared light will travel through the hubcannula 56 of the needle hub 50 and exit the hub chamber 22 since thepeel tab 30 is removed. On the other hand, some of the infrared lightwill be incident to the front face of the needle hub 50 and reflect backto the infrared detectors 72. Condition 3 is indicated by an LED 80illuminated red.

The infrared detectors 72 are calibrated to detect the three differentreflected infrared luminance ranges corresponding to each of theconditions described above. A new needle hub 50 sealed in a hub chamber22 provides the greatest reflected infrared light. A used hub 50 notbeing sealed in a hub chamber 22 provides less reflected infrared lightthan a new needle hub 50. An empty hub chamber 22 provides the leastreflected light of all the three conditions.

Due to changing ambient lighting conditions, an algorithm can be used toremove a lighting offset from the infrared detector 72 data to providemore accurate readings. Each needle hub 50 is measured with and withoutthe infrared emitter 70 powered on to provide a differential measurementcreated between ambient and emitter lit conditions. A plurality ofmeasurements is made for each hub chamber 22 to average out any noise inmeasurement. Finally, the hub chambers 22 are compared against eachother and against dynamic infrared sensing thresholds.

The controller 76 then receives the signals from the array of infrareddetectors 72 and communicates appropriate signals to the electronicindicator 62. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the LED 80 of one of theplurality of hub chambers 22 is red indicating that the needle hub 50 isused (condition 3). The remaining LEDs 80 corresponding to the remaininghub chambers 22 are green indicating that the hub chamber 22 is sealedby the peel tab 30 and the needle hub 50 is unused (condition 1).

According to another embodiment, the magazine 18 includes a cover 60 andan electronic indicator 62 being an electronic display 52. FIG. 19illustrates the magazine 18 including the cover 60 that encloses themagazine housing 20. The cover 60 protects the needle hubs 50 in themagazine 18 from inadvertent use.

FIGS. 20-22 illustrate the electronic indicator 62 being an electronicdisplay 82. The electronic display 82 is preferably an LCD display oralternatively an E-ink display. The electronic display 82 presentsinformation to the user that describes the state of the magazine 18. Forexample, the electronic display 82 shows a battery level 84, a usestatus 86 indicating when the last needle hub 50 was removed from themagazine housing 20, current conditions 88 indicating a date and a time,and a number of present needle hubs 90. Based on the use of the needlehub 50, the controller 76 also determines the projected replacement timeof the magazine 18 or of the magazine array 26. The electronic display82 communicates with the controller 76, the memory chip 77 and theinfrared reflective system 68 as described above to determine anddisplay these characteristics of the magazine 18.

Specifically, the battery level 84 displays how much electrical power isremaining in the battery 74 to operate the magazine 18. The use status86 displays a day and month of when the last needle hub 50 was removedfrom the magazine housing 20. The current conditions 88 display a dateand time in real-time. Finally, the number of present needle hubs 90displays a number of the plurality of needle hubs 50 that are in themagazine array 26. Alternately, the number of present needle hubs 90 candisplay the number of unused needle hubs 50.

FIG. 20 illustrates the peel tab 30 being removed from the selected hubchamber 24 to expose the selected needle hub 52 for use. FIG. 21illustrates the medication pen 2 connected to the adapter 4 that engagesthe selected needle hub 52 and removes the selected needle hub 52 fromthe selected hub chamber 24 in the magazine array 26 of the magazinehousing 20. As a result, the electronic display 82 indicating the numberof present needle hubs 90 is reduced from 16 to 15.

FIG. 22 illustrates the used needle hub 50 returned to the magazinearray 26 of the magazine housing 20. Thus, one of the magazine arrays 26includes the used needle hub 50 and seven unused needle hubs 50. Theother magazine array 26 is removed from the magazine housing 20. As aresult, the electronic display 82 indicating the number of needle hubspresent 90 is reduced from 16 to 8. The electronic display 82advantageously provides important information about the needle hubs 50for the user to optimize the use of the magazine 18 and prevent reuse ofthe needle hubs 50. Additionally, the magazine housing 20 isadvantageously reusable by replacing the magazine arrays 26 when all theneedle hubs 50 are used.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodimentshas been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of theinvention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilledin the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Any of theembodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with oneanother to form various additional embodiments not specificallydisclosed, as long as they do not contradict each other. Accordingly,additional embodiments are possible and are intended to be encompassedwithin this specification and the scope of the invention. Thespecification describes specific examples to accomplish a more generalgoal that may be accomplished in another way.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,”“lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptorsare intended to facilitate the description of the exemplar); embodimentsof the present invention, and are not intended to limit the structure ofthe exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particularposition or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or“approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer toreasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, generaltolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of thedescribed embodiments.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A magazine that stores a plurality ofneedles configured to engage a medication pen for medication delivery,the magazine comprising: a magazine housing including one of mountingrecesses and mounting projections, the magazine housing enclosing: aremovable array including the other of the mounting recesses andmounting projections, and having a plurality of hub chambers eachenclosing one of a plurality of needle hubs, the mounting projectionsengaging the mounting recesses to secure the removable array to themagazine housing; a connector in each of the plurality of hub chambers,each connector engaging one of the plurality of needle hubs; a pluralityof closures each sealing one of the plurality of hub chambers; and anelectronic indicator to identify a status of the plurality of needlehubs, wherein the electronic indicator identifies how many of theplurality of needle hubs are unused.
 2. The magazine of claim 1, whereinthe removable array is replaced when the plurality of needle hubs in theremovable array is all used.
 3. The magazine of claim 1, wherein theremovable array includes two removable arrays which are disposedopposite each other.
 4. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the electronicindicator includes a plurality of LEDs.
 5. The magazine of claim 1,wherein the magazine housing includes a circuit board.
 6. The magazineof claim 1, wherein the electronic indicator includes an infraredreflective system that emits infrared light to determine the status ofthe plurality of needle hubs.
 7. The magazine of claim 1, wherein themagazine housing comprises an infrared translucent material; and theplurality of needle hubs comprises an infrared reflective material. 8.The magazine of claim 1, wherein the removable array is linearlyarranged.
 9. The magazine of claim 1, wherein each hub in the removablearray is simultaneously accessible to a user.
 10. The magazine of claim1, wherein the plurality of hub chambers in the removable array ispositionally fixed in the magazine housing during operation.
 11. Themagazine of claim 1, wherein the electronic indicator includes anelectronic display.
 12. The magazine of claim 11, wherein the electronicdisplay includes at least one of a battery level, use status, currentconditions and a number of the unused needle hubs.
 13. The magazine ofclaim 12, wherein the current conditions display the current date andtime.
 14. The magazine of claim 12, wherein the use status displays atime when a most recent needle hub of the plurality of needle hubs wasremoved from the magazine housing.
 15. A method of using a plurality ofneedles in a magazine, the plurality of needles configured to engage amedication pen for medication delivery, the method comprising: removinga selected closure of a plurality of closures to expose a selectedneedle hub of a plurality of needle hubs in a removable array of amagazine housing; engaging the medication pen to the selected needlehub; disengaging the selected needle hub from the magazine housing toprepare the medication pen for medication delivery; indicating a statusof the plurality of needles by identifying how many of the plurality ofneedle hubs are unused; and disengaging mounting projections frommounting recesses to remove the removable array from the magazine andreplace the removable array after all of the plurality of needles areused.
 16. A magazine that stores a plurality of needles configured toengage a medication pen for medication delivery, the magazinecomprising: a magazine housing enclosing: a removable array having aplurality of hub chambers each enclosing one of a plurality of needlehubs; a connector in each of the plurality of hub chambers, eachconnector engaging one of the plurality of needle hubs; a plurality ofclosures each sealing one of the plurality of hub chambers; and anelectronic indicator to identify a status of the plurality of needlehubs, wherein the electronic indicator includes a plurality of LEDs thatidentifies how many of the plurality of needle hubs are unused; whereineach of the plurality of LEDs is aligned to one of the plurality of hubchambers.
 17. A magazine that stores a plurality of needles configuredto engage a medication pen for medication delivery, the magazinecomprising: a magazine housing enclosing: a removable array having aplurality of hub chambers each enclosing one of a plurality of needlehubs; a connector in each of the plurality of hub chambers, eachconnector engaging one of the plurality of needle hubs; a plurality ofclosures each sealing one of the plurality of hub chambers; and anelectronic indicator to identify a status of the plurality of needlehubs, wherein the electronic indicator includes a plurality of LEDs thatidentifies how many of the plurality of needle hubs are unused; whereinwhen one of the plurality of LEDs corresponding to one of the pluralityof hub chambers illuminates in a selected color, the correspondingneedle hub of the plurality of needle hubs is used.
 18. A magazine thatstores a plurality of needles configured to engage a medication pen formedication delivery, the magazine comprising: a magazine housingenclosing: a removable array having a plurality of hub chambers eachenclosing one of a plurality of needle hubs; a connector in each of theplurality of hub chambers, each connector engaging one of the pluralityof needle hubs; a plurality of closures each sealing one of theplurality of hub chambers; and an electronic indicator to identify astatus of the plurality of needle hubs, wherein the electronic indicatorincludes a plurality of LEDs that identifies how many of the pluralityof needle hubs are unused; and when one of the plurality of LEDscorresponding to one of the plurality of hub chambers illuminates in aselected color, the corresponding needle hub of the plurality of needlehubs is new and available for use.
 19. A magazine that stores aplurality of needles configured to engage a medication pen formedication delivery, the magazine comprising: a magazine housingenclosing: a removable array having a plurality of hub chambers eachenclosing one of a plurality of needle hubs; a connector in each of theplurality of hub chambers, each connector engaging one of the pluralityof needle hubs; a plurality of closures each sealing one of theplurality of hub chambers; and an electronic indicator to identify astatus of the plurality of needle hubs, wherein the electronic indicatoridentifies how many of the plurality of needle hubs are unused; and themagazine housing includes a circuit board having an inertial measurementunit that detects vibration, the inertial measurement unit triggersoperation of the circuit board when a predetermined vibration value isexceeded.
 20. A magazine that stores a plurality of needles configuredto engage a medication pen for medication delivery, the magazinecomprising: a magazine housing enclosing: a removable array having aplurality of hub chambers each enclosing one of a plurality of needlehubs; a connector in each of the plurality of hub chambers, eachconnector engaging one of the plurality of needle hubs; a plurality ofclosures each sealing one of the plurality of hub chambers; and anelectronic indicator to identify a status of the plurality of needlehubs, wherein the electronic indicator identifies how many of theplurality of needle hubs are unused; the electronic indicator includesan infrared reflective system that emits infrared light to determine thestatus of the plurality of needle hubs; the infrared reflective systemincludes a plurality of infrared emitters and a plurality of infrareddetectors; and one of the plurality of infrared emitters and one of aplurality of infrared detectors are aligned to each other in each one ofthe plurality of hub chambers.
 21. A magazine that stores a plurality ofneedles configured to engage a medication pen for medication delivery,the magazine comprising: a magazine housing enclosing: a removable arrayhaving a plurality of hub chambers each enclosing one of a plurality ofneedle hubs; a connector in each of the plurality of hub chambers, eachconnector engaging one of the plurality of needle hubs; a plurality ofclosures each sealing one of the plurality of hub chambers; and anelectronic indicator to identify a status of the plurality of needlehubs, wherein the electronic indicator identifies how many of theplurality of needle hubs are unused; the electronic indicator includesan infrared reflective system that emits infrared light to determine thestatus of the plurality of needle hubs; and based on infrared lightreflection received, the infrared reflective system identifies one of anempty hub chamber, an unused needle hub in the hub chamber and a usedneedle hub in the hub chamber.